LEGAL NOTICE PLANNED IMPROVEMENT
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has developed preliminary plans for a proposed State Road (SR) 1 Small Structure Replacement with Bridge, SR 1 over Unnamed Tributary (UNT) to Eightmile Creek (CV 001-90-133.62), 2.45 miles north of US 224, in Wells County, Indiana. Proposed work includes replacing existing reinforced concrete box (RCB) CV 001-90-133.62, with a new bridge, Str. No. 001-90-10856. The proposed structure (Str. No. 001-90-10856) will be a 20-foot span, 7-foot rise reinforced concrete box. Additional work includes reconstructing full depth Hot Mixed Asphalt (HMA) pavement, transitioning HMA pavement by milling and overlaying, drive apron reconstruction, ditch relocation, Class 1 riprap installation at outlet for scour protection, and pavement markings. Guardrail upgrades will be done to the east and west sides of the structure. The six existing pipes (Str. 101, Str. 102, Str. 103, Str. 104, Str. 105, and Str. 106) will be graded and extended as a part of this project. Utility relocation is anticipated. One Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) pipeline is located adjacent to the project area and will be relocated as a part of this project. Excavation at a depth of 12 feet below ground surface will be used for the removal of the existing culvert and installation of the new structure. This project will have a total work length of 0.034 mile long.
The maintenance of traffic (MOT) plan will include a full road closure with an official detour, utilizing US 224, I-69, and I-469 during the duration of construction. All culverts will be replaced at the same time. The detour adds approximately 18.4 miles or 17 minutes to a SR 1 northbound or southbound trip. The road is anticipated to be closed from CR E 800 N to US 224. This project is anticipated to begin construction in Spring 2028 and will last approximately three months. Access to all properties will be maintained throughout construction. Project stakeholders, including local school corporations and emergency services will be notified of potential closures and/or detours prior to any construction.
Construction of the project will require approximately 0.58 acre of right-of-way reacquisition, and 0.58 acre of permanent new Right-of-Way (ROW) acquisition will be required. No temporary ROW is anticipated for this project. The approximate existing ROW is 15 feet from either side of the SR 1 roadway centerline and consists of maintained grass and existing pavement. Permanent ROW acquisition will be required for removing the existing structure, installing the new structure, and utility replacement. New ROW consists of maintained roadside vegetation and agricultural land. The estimated total project cost is $1,867,849. Federal and state funds are to be utilized for the construction of the project.
The Federal Highway Administration and INDOT have agreed that this project falls within the guidelines of a Categorical Exclusion (CE) Level 2 environmental document. No trees will be cleared as a part of the project. Anticipated impacts include 0.7 acre of herbaceous vegetation disturbance, and 97.6 linear feet of temporary impacts to UNT to Eightmile Creek and 54.7 linear feet of permanent impacts to UNT to Eightmile Creek. There will be no impacts to wetlands. Disturbed areas will be re-seeded with Seed Mixture Seeding along with Floodplain and Mulching Material below the Base Flood Elevation post construction to return the site as close as possible to pre-construction conditions. Efforts to avoid and minimize impacts were made but impacts were unavoidable in order to meet the purpose and need and address the condition of the bridge and scour protection. Impacts were minimized by reducing the construction area and bank disturbance to the greatest extent possible, minimizing stream impacts to the greatest extent possible, and implementing erosion control measures.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service made a “not likely to adversely affect” the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), effect determination. Proposed impacts have been minimized to the extent practicable and cannot be avoided due to construction access needs and worker safety.
Preliminary design plans, along with the CE are available for review at the following locations: 1) The INDOT Fort Wayne District, 5333 Hatfield Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46808, 2) Wells County Public Library Ossian Branch, 207 North Jefferson St. Ossian, IN 46777, and 3) https://www.in.gov/indot/about-indot/central-office/welcome-to-the-fort-wayne-district/fort-wayne-district-projects/.
All interested persons may request a public hearing be held and/or submit comments to the attention of Erin Purdy, epurdy@kaskaskiaeng.com, 812-314-7041, 323 Main St, Suite E, Evansville, IN 47708 no later than November 1, 2026. In addition, project information, including the environmental document, may be mailed to interested persons upon request.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), persons and/or groups requiring project information be made available in alternative formats are encouraged to contact the INDOT Fort Wayne District for the arrangement and coordination of services. Please contact Ryan Kerr, RKerr@indot.IN.gov, at the INDOT Fort Wayne District, 5333 Hatfield Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46808. In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, persons and/or groups requiring project information be made available in another language are encouraged to contact Ryan Kerr, RKerr@indot.IN.gov, 5333 Hatfield Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46808
This notice is published in compliance with 1) Code of Federal Regulations, Title 23, Section 771 (CFR 771.111(h)(1) stating, “Each State must have procedures approved by the FHWA to carry out a public involvement/public hearing program.”; 2) 23 CFR 450.210(a)(1)(ix) stating, “Provide for the periodic review of the effectiveness of the public involvement process to ensure that the process provides full and open access to all interested parties and revise the process, as appropriate.”; and 3) The INDOT Project Development Public Involvement Procedures Manual approved by the Federal Highway Administration on July 7, 2021.
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